16.04

You have a bit of a mess. Edit your /etc/rc.local file to remove echo "148F 7601" | tee /sys/bus/usb/drivers/ath9k_htc/new_id as that USB device is not supported by ath9k_htc, it is a Mediatek device.

Delete all contents of /etc/modules as you don't need to force load ath9k and ath9k_htc.

Uninstall ndiswrapper and get rid of its configuration file.

Remove the Broadcom proprietary module.

Let's make sure its blacklist file is gone.

Update the module alias list.

Reboot and look at dmesg | grep brcm to see if the issue is gone.